Transcript Highlights:

• File item number six, AB 950 by Assemblymember Szilagyi.
• File item number 7, AB 953 by Assemblymember Pacheco.
• File item number 10, AB 1214 by Assemblymember Patterson.
• File item number 12, AB 1512 by Committee on Elections.
• Apologies for being late, was in their hearing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If any of y'all hadn't been down there lately, it's going very well.
• If any of y'all hadn't been down there lately, it's going very well.
• Now, Senate, we have had approximately 1,128 bills filed for drafting. That breaks all records.
• 1,128 1,128 bills<00:18:50.960> filed<00:18:51.840> for<00:18:52.080> drafting.
• bills filed for drafting. bills filed for drafting.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 14 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Brother Justin Cheney of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, and then adopted routine motions to dispense with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and the titles of bills and resolutions. Several guests were introduced and welcomed, including Dr. Brianna Herd Pinho and a student shadowing her, multiple mayors and local officials from around the state, and several groups of gifted students, teachers, and parents visiting the chamber. The main item of business was Senate Bill 2016, which creates the Mississippi Department of Tourism. The bill transfers tourism-related powers, duties, property, contracts, staff, and obligations from the Mississippi Development Authority’s tourism division to the new department effective July 1, 2026. It also establishes an executive director, authorizes grant programs and tourism promotion efforts, creates a state treasury fund for the department, and forms a Mississippi Tourism Association Marketing Advisory Board. The bill’s sponsor said the change would better support an industry that brings significant revenue and goodwill to the state and requested passage by use of the morning roll call. No objections were raised, and the bill passed. Afterward, the Senate completed its calendar and moved to announcements. Senator Frasier announced a 3:30 p.m. meeting of the community colleges and workforce subcommittee of Appropriations, and Senator Younger noted a Highways and Transportation meeting after adjournment. The presiding officer also reported that about 1,128 bills had been filed for drafting, with roughly 300 already allocated, and the Senate then agreed to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I started doing this when I was in my 20s; I'm now in my late 40s, and I want to make...
• So the intention and the way we sort of guided land grants to file those protests this past...
• Also, the plaintiff had filed a writ of mandamus to install a certain candidate. We got that case.
• In the late 90s, we started our acequia governance project, and that's how long I've been at NMAA.
• I got in late last night from the latest water leaders training program.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lawsuits filed in the District of Massachusetts, and then there were private party lawsuits filed in
• , and thus far this year, we've only filed 11, so it slowed down a little bit to the pace of the filings
• , and thus far this year, we've only filed 11, so it slowed down a little bit to pace of the filings.
• We filed two challenges to changes on student loans, and we filed a couple of housing cases.
• How do we choose the cases to file?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The file we sent a deal. We do the way the process works.
• on those fields as a lot of students on those files.
• So we do go through our files as we get a file every year we ask for file every year to make sure the
• We do that with preliminary files as well with preliminary October survey files that might become available
• We declare the man eligible when we see the final survey files.

Transcript Highlights:

• archaic system is we have the green file archaic system is we have the green file that<01:17:42.280
• <01:17:49.360> gets out into parole that green file gets out into parole that green file gets
• are separate from the DOC files.
• receive the federal funds too late receive the federal funds too late it<01:39:24.599> exasperates
• two all right I'm sorry we're late two all right I'm sorry we're late commissioner Thank you for

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I House File 1082, Chair Moller's bill.
• will move to lay over House File 1082. will move to lay over House File 1082.
• that I introduced last year, House File that I introduced last year, House File 3230,<00:06:02.640
• Um there are no amendments filed on your Um there are no amendments filed on your bill.<00:55:41.520>
• Um I will move to lay over House File Um I will move to lay over House File 4177.<01:15:05.000><

Bills: HF1082, HF2099, HF4177, HF2742

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, emergency management, local government, funding, preparedness, Minnesota, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, use of force, police accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed NPA analysis were filed in conjunction with the CCPs from each company.
• The proposed NPA analysis were filed in conjunction with the CCPs from each company.
• We've received the order in late 2020, and here we are in mid-25.
• The plans the LDCs have filed, though...
• By the time a project is proposed in the GSEP filing, it is likely too late to realistically implement

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on two related issues: gas utilities’ climate compliance plans filed with the Department of Public Utilities and the recent DPU orders reforming the Gas System Enhancement Program (GSEP). Chair Creem and other senators emphasized that Massachusetts must reduce gas use, shrink the gas distribution footprint, and move customers to alternatives such as heat pumps, network geothermal, and non-gas pipeline alternatives (NPAs). DPU Chair Jamie Van Nostrand said the new GSEP orders lower the annual revenue cap from 3.0% to 2.5%, phase it down toward 1.5%, eliminate carrying charges, require more rigorous risk prioritization, and push utilities to consider advanced leak technology, relining, repairs, and NPAs. He also described the climate compliance plans as the start of a longer process covering decommissioning, stranded costs, line extension allowances, integrated energy planning, and targeted electrification demonstrations. Senators pressed the DPU and utility witnesses on the lack of specificity in the climate compliance plans, especially the absence of numeric goals for gas usage reduction, customer conversions, and near-term deployment of NPAs. Utility representatives from Eversource and National Grid said their plans include NPA frameworks, integrated energy planning, targeted electrification pilots, network geothermal, and workforce transition efforts, but argued that implementation takes time, requires customer participation, and depends on coordination with electric utilities and communities. They said some NPA and electrification projects are being evaluated now, while larger-scale deployment is expected later in the decade. Senators also raised concerns about line extension allowances, with utilities explaining that new customers may be charged based on whether existing ratepayers would otherwise be harmed, while National Grid said it has begun increasing customer contributions to send stronger price signals. Attorney General Mary Gardner supported the DPU’s GSEP reforms and said the office favors eventually stepping the GSEP cap down to zero by 2030, with repair and replacement costs recovered in base rate cases instead. She argued that the utilities’ plans still rely too heavily on business-as-usual approaches, do not adequately quantify scope 3 emissions, and leave unresolved questions about the obligation to serve and the future of line extension allowances. Advocacy witnesses from the Conservation Law Foundation and Acadia Center were more critical, saying the plans lack the detailed modeling, targets, and transparency needed to show how the utilities will help meet the Commonwealth’s heating and cooling sublimits and broader climate goals. No votes were taken; the hearing consisted of testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pappas moves that Senate file Senator Pappas moves that Senate file 4662<00:16:01.760>
• Senator Xiong, Senate File 373.
• Senate File 4839 Minnesota communities.
• encourage you to support Senate File encourage you to support Senate File 4839<00:59:21.280>
• in the Senate Rules Committee as a late in the Senate Rules Committee as a late bill.<01:14:49.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then late 2023, I was late on my application.
• And then late 2021 it was approved.
• I 2023, I was late on my application.
• have to take a hard stop if it gets late have to take a hard stop if it gets late um<01:39:40.800
• It's a whole different late 1800s.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Campbell Estates, the Pele Defense Fund, filed a lawsuit against Campbell Estates, and thus you know,
• P defense fund filed a lawsuit against<00:28:49.200> Campbell<00:28:49.600> Estates<00
• Please proceed. 30 TR filed against them the majority by 30 TR filed against them the majority by educational
• Thank you. possibility of filing a lawsuit um but possibility of filing a lawsuit um but I'm<01:30:29.400
• was substantive, much too late for us to consider or to have the housing chair be consulted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing today is House File Number 568.
• support of House File support of House File 568,<00:05:24.320> which<00:05:24.639> would
• House file 2819. All right. House file 2819.
• Uh, House File 800 for you.
• House file 1237. well. All right. House file 1237. Representative<00:50:22.240> Schmacher.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been out on the ground a lot lately I've been out on the ground a lot lately and<00:04:24.960
• I’ve been noticing lately, as I travel, the number of people that run red lights.
• <00:41:23.760> to So I I look for bills to be filed to So I I look for bills to be filed to
• Um, and in late summer, uh, our points.
• <00:49:06.000> summer, That process wraps up in late summer, That process wraps up in late

Keywords: 0:00:15 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:01:15 Maintenance Update 0:21:07 Approval of Minutes 0:21:32 Regional Offices 0:43:47 SHIFT Scoring 1:04:24 Local Assistance Road Program 1:16:41 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met without a quorum and first received a maintenance update from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials James Ballinger and John Moore. They described how repeated disasters, including floods, tornadoes, and ice storms, have strained routine road maintenance and forced crews to focus on emergency response, snow and ice removal, pothole patching, ditching, signal repairs, mowing, striping, sign work, and other day-to-day upkeep. They said snow and ice costs have averaged about $60 million to $61 million annually in recent years, disaster response has totaled hundreds of millions of dollars over five years, and the cabinet often must carry those costs until FEMA or FHWA reimbursement arrives. They also said maintenance work is increasingly contracted out because of staffing and resource limits, and that competitive pay is needed to retain employees and contractors for around-the-clock emergency work. Members then discussed traffic roundabouts and other intersection designs. Senator Hickden asked about their cost savings and safety benefits compared with traffic signals, and cabinet staff said they would provide life-cycle cost figures later. They emphasized that roundabouts and related designs reduce serious injuries and fatalities, with serious injuries down roughly 70% to 80% and fatalities over 90% in their experience. Chair Douglas and others asked about roundabout sizing for trucks and farm equipment, and staff explained that designers tailor the inscribed diameter to local traffic needs and context. The committee also briefly discussed red-light running and traffic-light cameras, with members stressing the safety risks of drivers ignoring signals. The committee adopted the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and voice vote. It then heard from Sarah Jackson and Matthew Cole on the Real ID and driver licensing transition. They said the cabinet has expanded from almost no regional offices to 35, grown driver licensing staff from 89 to 400, and now issues about 1.3 million credentials annually. They reported improvements in office capacity, queue management, staffing, and compensation, including added workstations, new or expanded offices in Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown, and the use of contract staff. They said statewide average wait times have fallen to just under 30 minutes, and Kentucky’s Real ID adoption rate has risen to 42.9%. Members asked follow-up questions about driver testing and CDL scheduling. The presenters said all permit and CDL testing is coordinated through Kentucky State Police, with written tests available in most regional offices and CDL testing at a smaller number of KSP locations. Senator Douglas asked when the driver testing requirements were last updated, and the presenters said that was set by KSP. The discussion ended with additional questions about which regional offices lack KSP testing presence, but no further action was taken before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had one late fellow come in, our Vice Chair, but we won't rub it in at all.
• I am going to... had one late fella come in our vice had one late fella come in our vice chair<00:04:
• <00:20:59.559> February forecast that's either late February forecast that's either late February
• Those restoration projects have to have a restoration and management plan on file, so they have to go
• Those restoration projects have to have a restoration and management plan on file, so they have to go

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income. The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails. House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Chair Hooper: THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION, TIMELY FILED AMENDMENT 582758 BY SENATOR COLLINS, YOU
• THERE IS A LATE FILED AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, BARCODE 839634.
• BY SENATOR THERE IS A LATE FILED AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT, BARCODE 839634. BY SENATOR COLLINS.
• ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING UP THE WEIGHTS FILED AMENDMENT, WITHOUT OBJECTION SHOW IT INTRODUCE, SENATOR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• file 4282. file 4282.
• <00:06:37.000> 4144, We also included uh Senate File 4144, We also included uh Senate File
• >> Schultz moves to amend Senate file >> Schultz moves to amend Senate file number<00
• is House File 4384. is House File 4384.
• Third reading, Senate File reading. Third reading, Senate File number<01:08:24.600> 3891.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call. The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote. Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote. The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> an<00:19:51.360> economic Charges were filed with an economic Charges were filed with an
• And that were filed across the spectrum.
• It's too late. We'll hold people accountable.
• And um that, it's it's already too late.
• we've all been sort of fed lately. we've all been sort of fed lately.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyone wishing to testify on House File 1865?
• <00:09:33.720> 1865 renews his motion that house file 1865 renews his motion that house file
• before the committee house file before the committee house file 2014<00:13:48.320> anyone
• will go to the members for house file will go to the members for house file 2028<00:16:23.360>
• <00:36:46.079> to HOA policies that people are filing to HOA policies that people are filing

Bills: HF1865, HF2014, HF2028

Keywords: mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Sorry, I'm late. Thank you. Um, let's see. I'm trying to. So, we have.
• It's very easy for me to go in and pull New Mexico filings.
• But it's a whole other game to find rate filings for other states.
• I have reviewed many filings. I do think the payout in the PCF might be a little bit long.
• Sorry for your late evening; it was a crazy day.

Transcript Highlights:

• as we build out our electronic filing as we build out our electronic filing system<01:04:38.240>
• Um, it does take time as far as... filings. And so, just to make it filings.
• consistent with the electronic filing consistent with the electronic filing system,<01:28:45.360
• I commission's electronic filing system.
• We might go a little late on hearings.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.